Jeremy Clarkson is preparing to hand someone a life-changing prize this month, as the latest series of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? builds towards one of its most dramatic moments in recent years.
The presenter, who remains one of Britain’s most recognisable television figures, has confirmed that the current run of the ITV quiz show will see two contestants reach the final £1 million question. ITV has now gone a step further, revealing that at least one player will leave the programme with the top prize in the new episodes airing this month.
For viewers of the long-running series, that announcement marks a major moment. Although Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? has delivered plenty of memorable scenes over the years, genuine millionaire-making episodes remain rare enough to generate enormous excitement. The prospect of seeing not just one, but two contestants make it all the way to the final question has added fresh anticipation to the new run.
Clarkson himself has made clear just how striking the experience was in the studio. Reflecting on the upcoming episodes, he said this may be his favourite series so far, pointing to the extraordinary atmosphere created when two players reached the final question. He also described the tension in the studio as incredible, suggesting audiences can expect some especially gripping television when the episodes air.
His comments underline how much the programme continues to thrive under his stewardship. Since taking over as host in 2018, Clarkson has brought a different energy to the quiz show, replacing original presenter Chris Tarrant, who had fronted the format from its launch and became closely associated with its success. Stepping into such an established role was never going to be easy, but Clarkson has managed to make the programme his own while preserving the suspense and prestige that made it a staple of British television.
The new episodes arrive at a time when Clarkson’s career remains unusually broad. He is still widely associated with the television partnership he formed with Richard Hammond and James May, first on the BBC’s Top Gear and later on Prime Video’s The Grand Tour. That trio became one of the most successful and enduring combinations in modern factual entertainment, helping Clarkson secure a place as one of the country’s most influential broadcasters.
Yet in recent years, another part of his screen career has arguably taken on even greater significance. Away from quiz shows and motoring programmes, Clarkson has found a huge new audience through Clarkson’s Farm, the Prime Video series following his attempts to run Diddly Squat Farm in Oxfordshire. What began as a personal farming venture has turned into one of his most successful projects, with the series winning praise for combining humour with a more serious look at the realities of British agriculture.
Clarkson bought the farm, then known as Curdle Hill, in 2008. Located near Chadlington in Oxfordshire, it has since become a central part of his public image. The farm, along with the now famous Diddly Squat brand, has helped introduce him to audiences who may never have followed his earlier work in motoring television. The success of the series has also strengthened Clarkson’s reputation for turning everyday frustrations, logistical setbacks and financial pressures into compelling entertainment.
That success shows no sign of slowing. With four seasons already released, Clarkson’s Farm is due to return next month for its fifth series. Up to eight new episodes are expected to land on Prime Video, with Clarkson again set to play a central role as the programme continues to track life on the farm and the challenges that come with it.
Taken together, the new Millionaire episodes and the return of Clarkson’s Farm mean Clarkson is once again dominating the television conversation from two very different directions. On one hand, he is the host guiding contestants through one of the most tense and high-profile quiz formats on British television. On the other, he remains the face of a hit documentary series that has broadened his appeal and kept him firmly in the public eye.
For ITV, the prospect of at least one new millionaire is likely to provide a major boost for the latest series. For Clarkson, it offers another reminder that after decades on screen, he still knows how to anchor event television. And for audiences, it means that this month could deliver one of the most memorable Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? moments in years.
